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New Orleans Pelicans vs. Charlotte Bobcats preview

Anthony Davis : Pelicans vs. Indiana

New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis (23) battles for a rebound against Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) at the New Orleans Arena on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. (Photo by Brett Duke, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune)

Pelicans
scouting report: The Pelicans, with their athletic
lineup, will obviously look to play better defense, following Friday night's 110-90 loss at Orlando. The Pelicans often were slow to close out on shooters
and rotate properly, as the Magic made them pay by making 55.7 percent of their
field goals.

The
Pelicans will try to push the pace against the Bobcats and set the tempo
offensively. Since the first half of the season opener against the Indiana
Pacers, the Pelicans offense has been out of sync.

Also
Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday will look to keep Bobcats point guard Kemba
Walker out of the paint.

Bobcats
scouting report: This may not be the same Bobcats team from years past.

While the Bobcats remain in a rebuilding
process, although they did take steps in upgrading their roster this offseason.
And they showed their potential in a 90-84 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Walker, who made a three-pointer to break a tie with 58 seconds against the Cavaliers, gives the Bobcats an up-and-coming playmaker. And Kidd-Gilchrist and McRoberts are scrappy players.

If prized offseason acquisition Al Jefferson can't play, look for the Bobcats to run more pick-and-roll offense.

Key
matchup: Davis vs. McRoberts. McRoberts will have his hands
full against Davis, who appears poised to emerge as one of the NBA's top power
forwards. During the offseason Davis improved his jump shot and has shown the
ability to put the ball on the floor and beat defenders off the dribble.
McRoberts, who has averaged just four rebounds a game, will also have to work
to keep Davis, who already has 15 offensive rebounds, off the
glass.

Who's
hot: Davis continues to show the development in his game,
as he is coming off his second straight double-double. Davis followed up a
20-point, 12-rebound performance against the Pacers, with a 26-point, 17-rebound outing against the Magic.

Walker,
the Bobcats' point guard, has gotten off to a solid start and is doing a good
job of running the offense. He has scored in double digits in 26 of his last 27 games, dating back to last season. In Friday night's game against Cleveland, Walker
made the crucial three and scored 23 points and seven assists.

Who's
not: Pelicans swingman Tyreke Evans, who was signed this
offseason to add offense off the bench, has struggled early on to find his
groove. Evans has made just two of 15 shots so far this season and appears to
still be trying to find his way after missing much of preseason with a sprained
ankle.

Although Bobcats
shooting guard Gerald Henderson made a pair of big free throws down the stretch vs. the Cavaliers, he was ineffective from the field, making just two of 10 attempts.

Injury
report: Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson is out for one to
three weeks with a chip fracture in the second toe of his right foot. And
Pelicans reserve forward Darius Miller (foot) is out until December. Jefferson, re-aggravated an ankle injury in the Bobcats' season opener and sat out Friday's game. Bobcats
center Brenden Haywood is sidelined until at least January with a foot injury.

Notes:
The Pelicans are returning home for the second of this back-to-back after their
game at Orlando on Friday. ... The Pelicans swept the Bobcats in two games last
season. ... After not playing in the season opener due to coach's decision,
Pelicans second-year guard Austin Rivers and rookie center Jeff Withey made
their debuts Friday night against Orlando.